Walker Morris on target to hit £100m revenue target for 2027 as it boosts corporate team

A spokesman said Mr Senior’s arrival maintains the momentum of senior lawyers leaving major UK and international law firms for Walker Morris in recent months, including equity capital markets partner Martin Penn, who joined from DLA Piper. Walker Morris is the largest single-site firm outside London, with more than 300 lawyers.

Richard Naish, partner and head of corporate at Walker Morris, said: “The firm has dealt with clients and counterparties in more than 70 jurisdictions around the world over the last couple of years. The growth of the firm gives us the flexibility to reach out to a wide range of existing PLCs and companies aiming to become PLCs.”

He said Walker Morris was looking to work with companies hoping to join the Alternative Investment Market (AIM), the sub-market of the London Stock Exchange designed for smaller, early-stage and high-growth companies, and the main market.

"We have a flat management structure which allows us to act quickly and be nimble,’’ he added.

"Our strategy for the future is based around more of the same; we are seeking bigger and better transactions and investing in lateral hires. We offer something different to many firms; we are the biggest single site firm outside London. Having a single site, as opposed to multiple offices, enables us to better manage overheads and operate more cohesively as a firm at a time when more meetings related to transactions are being done remotely."

In the year ending April 30 2026, Walker Morris delivered fees of just over £90m, representing 11 per cent growth on the previous year and profit per equity partner of more than £1.1m. The firm has delivered 65 per cent fee growth since 2020/21.

It is on track to meet its “Ambition27” target of reeling in more than £100m revenue.

Mr Naish said: "We're half way through the year and things are on track, we are confident we will get to where we want to be by the end of this strategic cycle, ending in April 2027.

"The quality of lawyers in Leeds is a big attraction for clients. The arrival of Channel 4 in Leeds was a big development for the city; it occupies a marquee building and shows that a major corporate name is willing to move out of London to the regions.”

Mr Naish said the Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, had done a great job in raising the profile of the city.

He added: “Andy Burnham's decision to establish a Number 10 in the North in Manchester shows that the direction of travel is positive for the North of England. However clients aren't just affected by UK affairs, they are also affected by large geopolitical events over the last few years, such as the Iran war.

"We continue to look to grow with our successful strategy of securing high-quality lateral hires.”

He said Walker Morris plans to grow the number of lawyers in Leeds to maintain momentum.

"We believe energy and infrastructure will be key sectors for growth over the next few years,’’ he added.

Martin Penn, a partner in the corporate team at Walker Morris, said the firm was interested in advising founder-led businesses in Yorkshire who may be looking to go public but don't want to hire London lawyers at London prices. He said AIM had proved to be a successful vehicle for founder-led businesses looking to expand.

"It gives great opportunities to raise capital and grow their business. There is still very much a place for AIM alongside the main market. We were recently in London speaking with investment banks and they were increasingly positive about the outlook for the market."

Andrew Senior, a partner in the corporate team, said: “The move towards clean energy, renewables and the recovery/recycling of resources will further the growth of the circular economy. Government policy is driving clients to invest in infrastructure developments and clean-tech businesses, bringing opportunities to areas like Teesside, where there is a green energy park, and across Yorkshire and the Humber.”